State Fire Director Urges Caution Due to Risky Fire Weather

Sacramento – Californians should be extremely cautious due to the current dry and windy weather patterns, the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection announced yesterday.

The National Weather Service has issued a Red Flag Warning for Northern California and parts of Southern California for extreme wind gusts of up to 65 mph and low humidity levels throughout this weekend.

In response to the increased fire risk associated with this weather forecast, CDF is warning Californians that conditions are still ripe for a wildland fire. “There is a lot of dead vegetation that is extremely dry,” said CDF Director Ruben Grijalva. “Dry north winds increase the chance of a spark igniting a major fire.”

CDF units throughout the state are placing additional firefighters on duty, staffing more fire engines and keeping bulldozers on 24 hours a day. CDF is also asking for the public’s help during this high danger time. Make sure cigarette butts are properly extinguished, and that any mowing and electric/motorized weeding is done before 10 a.m. and after 6 p.m. Most importantly, all homes and businesses in wildfire-susceptible areas must have 100 feet of defensible space around structures.

For additional tips on how to be fire safe contact your nearest CDF facility or visit the CDF website at www.fire.ca.gov.